Patents by Inventor Brian Birrell

Brian Birrell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Production steering column positioning fixture
    Patent number: 12643621
    Abstract: A production steering column fixture includes a production steering column, a steering wheel, and a shroud. A steering component frame receives the production steering column, the steering wheel and the shroud in a predetermined design car position of a vehicle. An instrument panel is positioned proximate to the steering component frame. An occupant confirms visibility of the instrument panel at any position of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2025
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steve Popmarkov, Alex Zoccatelli, Brian Birrell, Nathaniel P. Jalbert, Mark Stephen Modena
  • Dual-mode drive-by-wire steering system
    Publication number: 20030146040
    Abstract: A dual-mode steering system (12) for an automotive vehicle (14) includes a first steering mechanism (36) and a second steering mechanism (38). A locking mechanism (72) is mechanically coupled to the first steering mechanism (36) and the second steering mechanism (38). The system (12) also includes a locking switch (40) having a first state and a second state. A controller (22) is electrically coupled to the locking mechanism (72) and the locking switch (40). The controller (22) locks the first steering mechanism (36) to the second steering mechanism (38) when the locking switch (40) is in the first state and disengages the first steering mechanism (36) from the second steering mechanism (38) when the locking switch (40) is in the second state. A method of operating the dual-mode steering system (12) is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald Henry Dybalski, David W. Ha, Brian Birrell